End Goals: LCMS Youth Ministry Podcast

Mark and Julianna dive into the fourth of seven practices in "Opportunities to Serve and Lead." Joining them is DCE KerriAnn Schmidt who works to empower her youth to serve and lead in their congregation.   Bio: DCE KerriAnn Schmidt started to serve Zion Lutheran Bellville in 2001 right after her graduation from Concordia Nebraska. She leads Zion's Family Ministry. Her passion is to help parents a...

Pastor Brian King and DCE Emily Schatz join Mark and Julianna to talk about how we engage parents in youth ministry. Our conversation helps remind us to support and care for the parents of our youth as a part of youth ministry.   Bio: Pastor Brian King graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan before going to Seminary. He has served at Webster Gardens since 1998.  He and h...

We know that pastors, DCEs, teachers and other church workers play a special role as supportive adults for youth. Pastor Ben Meyer joins us to talk about how church workers can be supportive adults and create an environment that encourages other supportive adults.  Bio: Pastor Ben Meyer is pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Sunbury, Ohio and the president of the Central Ohio Lutheran Immigrant Miss...

There are over 1000 volunteers who help make the LCMS Youth Gathering run! DCEs Lindsey Schmidt and Leslie Sullivan talk about their experience in supporting our Gathering Ambassadors, Young Adult Volunteers and Team Flex.   Bios: Lindsey Schmidt has been a DCE for 19 years and is still serving at her first call: Woodbury Lutheran.  She serves as the Director of Next Gen ministries and loves worki...

In this special episode, we interview Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer, who served LCMS Youth Ministry for many years. His stories help give us some wisdom and perspective about youth ministry.   Bio: Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer had a distinguishing career serving the church.  He served as a Lutheran high school teacher, parish pastor, poet, song and hymn writer, and supporter of young people and those who care...

We believe every young person should have at least five Christian supportive adults in their lives. DCE Hailey Jo Miller comes on the podcast to talk about how she engages and encourages supportive adults in her youth ministry.   Bio: Hailey Jo is the Director of Student Ministry at Memorial Lutheran Church. She's served in ministry for 13 years and loves working with students to affirm their bapt...

As we dive into the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry, Mark and Julianna are joined by DCE Angela Kollbaum to talk about what it means to have warmth, challenge, and grace.  Bio: Angela Kollbaum, DCE, PLMHP is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) and Certified Professional Counselor (CPC) in the state of Nebraska with Lutheran Family Service (LFS). She is a member of a...

Mark and Julianna kick off a series that goes through each of the seven practices of youth ministry. But before they do, let’s take a second to remember how we got these practices to begin with and what they are designed to do.  Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry avaliable at CPH: https://www.cph.org/seven-practices-of-healthy-youth-ministry?srsltid=AfmBOorekrYOVJEP-oK7TM9kmh8fOC_6Ob3v9S9un...

The Gathering is more than five days. One of the ways we hope that groups come together is in pre-Gathering Bible studies. Pastor Doug Bender and DCE AJ Vega, members of the Gathering Bible Study Team, join us to talk about the themes and values of pre-Gathering Bible studies.  Bios:  Pastor Doug Bender serves as an associate pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Macomb, Michigan. Befor...

It is almost time for registration to start for the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering! New staff Becky Kammeier and Emily Myers join us to discuss key things to know about how to plan for your registration to the Gathering.   Youth Gathering Resources: LCMS Youth Gathering Website – lcmsgathering.com Facebook Page – facebook.com/lcmsgathering Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

One component that is a part of every youth ministry is time in God’s Word. This episode is a discussion of how you can intentionally plan, choose, and write Bible Studies and Devotions for your teens.   Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

New Orleans is a city with a lot of LCMS Youth Gathering history, and we are excited to be there again in 2025. Listen to Mark and Julianna talk about NOLA as we prepare for the next Gathering. Youth Gathering Resources: LCMS Youth Gathering Website - lcmsgathering.com Facebook Page - facebook.com/lcmsgathering Facebook Group - facebook.com/groups/LCMSYouthMinistry

Most youth ministries use games regularly, but new youth leaders might not know how to best use those games. We are joined by Signe White, Ellie Lutz, and Keith Peters, who all serve in camp ministry, to talk about how to use games for teaching, community building, and more. Resources in this episode: National Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association: nloma.org Games on YouthESource: youthesource.com...

DCE Jeremy Becker joins Julianna and Mark for a conversation about how youth leaders can foster community and relationships that build belonging in their youth ministry. Bio: Jeremy Becker is a Director of Christian Education with over 24 years. He currently serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in Weston, Florida before that, he served at Concordia Lutheran in Kirkwood, Missouri. He was recently awarde...

It’s time to start planning for the 2025 Youth Gathering! Mark and Julianna talk about things to consider as you begin to prepare your congregation, youth, parents and other adults for the Gathering. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

The next episode in our second starter pack discusses child safety and risk management. Mark and Julianna talk about what can go wrong and how you can prepare to keep youth and adults safe and healthy. Resources mentioned in this episode: The LCMS Youth Ministry resource website: youthesource.com Ministry Safe: ministrysafe.com/lcms LCMS Page on Child Abuse/Safety: lcms.org/social-issues/child-abu...

Mark and Julianna are starting a new series of podcasts for those who are starting out in youth ministry. For the first episode, we invite LCMS Youth Ministry Communications Specialist Meredith Smith to discuss communications. Meredith Smith is the communications specialist for LCMS Youth Ministry, communicating about everything we do at LCMS Youth Ministry, including the Gathering. She is a Houst...

We are excited to be revealing the theme “Endure” for the upcoming 2025 Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger joins Mark and Julianna to talk about the theme, the passages of Hebrews we will focus on and more about our theological paper. Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger is an Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Student Life at Concordia Seminary here in St. Louis. He s...

Service work is a key component of a healthy youth ministry. Service on longer, intensive weeks like servant events or mission trips give youth a chance to live out their faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and build relationships that keep them tied to their congregation. LCMS Youth Ministry has supported LCMS Servant Events for over 40 years and today we hear more about their benefits to y...

College academic years have started across the country. This is a momentous time of transition for a freshman, and exciting times for upper classmen. A new living arrangement, a new schedule, new freedom, and new relationships all meet young people as they go from high school to their next academic adventure. Campus Ministries and home congregations provide ongoing prayer and support for their wal...

One of the biggest struggles we know are a part of adolescence, especially today, is identity formation. We talk with DCE Cassie Moore about how youth ministry can play a role in helping form an identity in Christ and about her recent study on identity. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com. Bio: Cassie Moore is an author, international speaker, and leadership consultan...

We conclude our short series on Christian Apologetics, inviting Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox to give insight to worldviews and philosophies faced by Christians. Resources in this episode: YouthESource Website — youthesource.com  Brad Alles’ Resource Website — bradalles.com   “Share Hope” YouthLead Curriculum (Leader: Brad Alles) — youthesource.com/2019/12/12/share-hope Life’s Big Questions, God...

We continue a short series on Christian Apologetics with guests Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox.  In this episode we tackle a few questions raised by those inside and outside of the faith.  Our guests give insight to answers to defend the faith and share it with others.  Bios: Dr. Brad Alles is an Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia University Wisconsin.  He is a frequent Bible study tea...

We continue a short series on Christian Apologetics, exploring the role of Apologetics in Christian education and youth ministry.  Faith Spelbring, DCE, joins us to give insight and resources to equip young people to think critically about the intersection of faith and life and witnessing to others. Resources in this episode: Life's Big Questions, God’s Big Answers by Brad Alles cph.org/lifes-big-...

We start a short series on Christian Apologetics, starting with the basics of Christian Worldview.  Dr. Brad Alles and Rev. Joe Cox join us to give resources to develop our worldview grounded in God’s Word and truth. Resources mentioned in this episode: “Share Hope” YouthLead Curriculum (Leader: Brad Alles) - youthesource.com/2019/12/12/share-hope/   Brad Alles’ Resource Website  – bradalles.com  ...